Quick answer
Patong is generally safe for visitors; the real risks are road accidents, the sea and money scams. Carry some cash for street food and transport, expect around 220 THB in fees on each foreign-card ATM withdrawal, and use licensed exchange booths. Avoid jet-ski rentals, agree tuk-tuk fares first and check bar bills. Save the Tourist Police number, 1155, and the medical emergency number, 1669.
Violent crime against tourists is uncommon in Patong. Most bad experiences come from three things: scooters, the sea, and a handful of small but well-rehearsed money traps. This guide covers how to pay for things, how to keep cash and documents safe, the scams locals warn their own friends about, and the Thai laws that surprise visitors.
Should you use cash or cards in Patong?
Both. The Thai baht is the only currency used day to day. Hotels, malls, supermarkets, established restaurants and most tour desks accept Visa and Mastercard, sometimes with a small surcharge. Street food, markets, songthaews, tuk-tuks, massage shops and small bars are mostly cash. Carry a mix of 100 and 500 THB notes, because 1,000 THB notes are hard to break at a food cart.
Thai QR payments
QR-code payment through Thailand's PromptPay system is everywhere, even at street stalls, but it is built for Thai bank apps. A growing number of foreign banking and wallet apps can now scan Thai QR codes; check whether yours does, and what it charges, before you rely on it. Otherwise, keep cash.
Card safety
When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and choose Thai baht. This dynamic currency conversion almost always uses a worse exchange rate. Keep a second card stored separately in case the first is blocked, lost or swallowed by a machine.
How much do ATMs and money exchange cost in Patong?
| Method | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thai ATM, foreign card | 200–250 THB per withdrawal (most banks about 220) | Plus your own bank's fees; per-withdrawal limits vary by bank |
| Licensed exchange booth | About 1–3% below the mid-market rate | Large, clean notes get the best rate; passport required |
| Airport exchange counter | About 2–5% below the mid-market rate | Change only what you need for the first day |
| Hotel reception | About 3–8% below the mid-market rate | Convenient but usually the worst rate |
| Card payment in shops | 0–3% surcharge | Always pay in THB, not your home currency |
Because the ATM fee is charged per withdrawal, take out larger amounts less often and keep the cash in your hotel safe. Use machines attached to bank branches or inside malls during the day, cover the keypad, and check the card slot for anything loose or bulky. Exchange booths line the beach road and the main malls: compare the posted rate for your currency at two or three, count the money at the window and keep the receipt.
How much should you tip in Patong?
Tipping is appreciated rather than required, and amounts are modest. Check the bill first: hotels and many restaurants already add a 10% service charge plus 7% VAT, shown on menus as ++ after the price.
| Situation | Typical tip (THB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant without service charge | Round up, or 5–10% of the bill | More generous at sit-down places |
| One-hour massage | 50–100 | Hand it to the therapist directly |
| Hotel porter | 20–50 per bag | Optional |
| Housekeeping | 20–50 per day | Leave it daily, not at the end |
| Taxi, tuk-tuk, Grab | 0–20 | Rounding up is a kind gesture |
| Day-trip guide or boat crew | 100–300 per person | If they looked after you well |
What are the most common scams in Patong?
Jet-ski damage claims
Patong's best-known trap. After your ride, the operator points to scratches or cracks and demands thousands of baht, sometimes with intimidation, while holding your passport as a deposit. The safest choice is not to rent jet-skis from the beach at all. If you do, never hand over your passport, film the whole craft with the operator present before and after, and call the Tourist Police on 1155 if a dispute turns aggressive.
Tuk-tuk and taxi detours
A driver offers a very cheap ride or tour, then stops at gem, tailor or souvenir shops where he earns a commission. In another version, your destination is closed today, but he knows a better one. Agree the fare and the destination, and decline any stop you did not ask for.
Bar tabs and show bills
Most bars around Bangla Road are straightforward, but touts with menus for upstairs shows with no prices on them are a known setup for a large bill at the end, enforced by doormen. Ask the price of a drink before you sit down, check your bill each round, and pay as you go if anything feels off.
The gem scam
A friendly stranger, sometimes claiming to be a teacher or an official, mentions a government gem sale or a tax-free export deal available today only. The stones are worth a fraction of the price, and refunds never happen. Never buy gems as an investment on a tip from someone you have just met.
Scooter damage bills and animal photos
Rental shops holding your passport can claim damage on return, so film the bike before riding off and leave a cash deposit instead. On the street, someone may put a bird, a monkey or a bracelet on you and then demand payment; say no early and keep walking. Animal photo props also often involve cruelty.
Who do you call in an emergency in Patong?
- Tourist Police: 1155. English-speaking, 24 hours, for scams, theft and disputes.
- Medical emergency and ambulance: 1669.
- Police: 191. Fire: 199.
- Patong Hospital, the public hospital, serves the town, and there are private clinics throughout Patong; the larger private hospitals are in and around Phuket Town, roughly 20–30 minutes away.
- Your embassy or consulate: save its emergency number before you travel. A lost passport must be reported to the police first, then replaced through your embassy.
After any theft, ask the Tourist Police or local police for a written report. Your insurer will almost certainly ask for it.
Do you need travel insurance for Patong?
Yes. Private hospital care in Phuket is good but expensive for uninsured visitors, and a serious injury can mean evacuation costs on top. Look for a policy that covers medical treatment and evacuation, motorbike riding under the licence conditions you actually meet, water sports and diving to your certification depth, and theft of valuables. Read the exclusions: alcohol, unlicensed riding and not wearing a helmet are the usual reasons claims are refused. Keep the insurer's emergency number and your policy number on your phone and on paper.
Which Thai laws catch visitors out?
- Vapes and e-cigarettes are illegal in Thailand. Bringing them in, buying or carrying them can lead to confiscation, fines and, in serious cases, prosecution. Leave them at home.
- Drug offences carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences for trafficking. Cannabis rules have changed several times since 2022 and were tightened again in 2025, so do not assume that what you see on sale is legal for you to buy or use.
- Carry identification. Foreigners are expected to be able to show their passport; carrying a copy of the photo page and entry stamp, with the original in the hotel safe, is a common practical compromise.
- Smoking is banned on Patong Beach outside designated areas, with heavy fines.
- The monarchy is protected by strict laws. Avoid jokes or comments about the royal family, and treat their images, including on banknotes, with respect.
The airport transfer guide covers the touts and taxi traps you meet on arrival, getting around Patong explains scooter licences and deposits in detail, and the Patong Beach safety guide covers flags and rip currents. Heading out at night? Read the Bangla Road guide first.
Frequently asked
- How much do ATMs charge foreign cards in Thailand?
- Most Thai bank ATMs charge a fixed fee of around 220 THB per withdrawal on foreign cards, as of November 2026, on top of whatever your own bank charges. Because the fee is per transaction, withdrawing larger amounts less often works out cheaper. Always choose to be charged in Thai baht rather than your home currency, and prefer machines at bank branches or inside malls.
- What is the Tourist Police number in Phuket?
- Dial 1155 for the Tourist Police, an English-speaking service available 24 hours a day across Thailand. Call it for scams, theft, disputes with rental operators or if you feel threatened. For a medical emergency or an ambulance, dial 1669; for the regular police, 191. After any theft, ask for a written police report, because your travel insurer will usually require one before paying a claim.
- Can you drink the tap water in Patong?
- It is best not to. Tap water in Patong is not treated to drinking standard at the tap, so use bottled or filtered water, which is cheap and sold everywhere; many hotels leave free bottles in the room each day, and coin-operated refill stations are common. Ice in established restaurants and bars is generally factory-made. Most visitors brush their teeth with tap water without problems.